Municipal Law Program (MLP)
This four unit program provides students with a general understanding of municipal legal matters and the knowledge of how far to proceed before seeking professional advice. A Certificate of Completion is awarded once you have successfully completed each MLP Unit. Although it is recommended that you register to take one unit at a time, we do leave the decision up to the individual. You are the best person to determine if you can commit to the curriculum and schedule for more than one unit during the same term. Successful completion of all four units within a three-year timeline is one of the four elements of AMCTO's Diploma in Municipal Administration (DMA).
Each year, AMCTO presents an award for excellence to the student who attains the highest cumulative mark upon completion of the four units of this program.
Correspondence Offering - Registration closed January 10th for the Winter 2020 Term and we are no longer accepting late registrations. Please mark you calendar for July 2nd, as this is when registration will open for the Fall 2020 Term.
Classroom Offering - details will be available by the end of January for the classes that will be held at the AMCTO Office during 2020. After you receive the immediate confirmation of your online registration transaction, the instructor will circulate the specific agenda and materials 3 weeks before the first class.
If your municipality is interested in offering this certificate program in a classroom environment, consider bringing the MLP Units in-house. Contact Jeanne Moon, Coordinator of Programs & Services.
MLP Unit 1 - Introduction to Municipal Law
Provides a general context of the law and the legal framework governing Municipalities. It also introduces students to the infrastructure of Municipal organization and operation. Further, the lessons provide an overview of the Municipal Act of 2001 and address legal and philosophical issues of statutory interpretation. Other topics in the Unit deal with Municipal by-laws and how to define, draft, enforce and defend them. The Unit concludes with a discussion of how to manage Municipal records.
MLP Unit 2 - Municipal Torts
Examines tort law in the context of Municipal liability. In particular, it addresses issues related to liability in enforcement activities, public works activities, and recreational activities. The Unit also examines liability in matters dealing directly with Municipal politicians for things like negligence, unlawful interference with economic interests, libel and slander, breach of trust, abuse of office and the like. The discussion also includes various remedies under tort law, with an emphasis on the classification, measure and awarding of damages. Other topics in the Unit include limitation periods in law. The Unit concludes with a discussion of insurance, including their acquisition and the process of making of claims.
MLP Unit 3 - Municipal Contracts
Focuses on contract law and their application to Municipalities. The lessons cover subjects such as the formation of contracts and their statutory framework. The discussion also addresses the various elements of a contract and the principles surrounding its termination. Other topics in the Unit include the analysis of a contract, various types of contracts, the capacity to contract, as well as the basic procedures of drafting of a contract.
MLP Unit 4 – Municipal Land Related Law
Focuses on Municipal land-related law. It addresses core topics like landholding and landowners, ownership and other interests in land. It also examines issues related to descriptions, plans and surveys in Ontario. The Unit further provides a discussion of the Planning Act, including a detailed analysis of Provincial plans, Provincial policy statements and related official plans. Other significant and often highly controversial subjects within the Planning Act covered in the Unit are zoning and site plan control. The Unit also addresses issues of land division and the development permit system associated with the Planning Act. The remaining topics in the Unit include discussions about statutes creating a lien on land, Municipal tax collection, Municipal land dealings and the Building Code Act of 1992.
Correspondence Tuition Fees
All course materials are provided through online access
Fee for each unit is $412.45 (365.00 + 47.45 HST #R106732936)
If you would like a hardcopy of the textbook, an additional fee applies - $452.00 (365.00 + 35.00 + 52.00 HST #R106732936)
Note: Hardcopy textbook will be shipped after registration closes.
If you will not be registering online, forms can be found on the Assignment Schedule page.
Challenging a MLP Unit
Applicants must have a minimum of five-years related municipal experience in a senior supervisory role and/or courses to receive approval to challenge any unit of MLP. Challenging any unit of MLP is an opportunity to receive credit for a specific MLP Unit without submitting assignments. Approved applicants will be required to submit a paper and write an exam for each unit. An overall minimum passing grade of 70% must be attained to gain credit for the specific MLP Unit you are challenging.
Challenge Fee with PDF version of textbook: $265.55 per unit (235.00 + 30.55 HST #R106732936)
Challenge Fee with PDF and Hardcopy of textbook: $305.10 per unit (235.00 + 35.00 + 35.10 HST #R106732936)
Those who meet the minimum requirements mentioned above and are interested in applying to challenge any MLP Unit, submit the MLP Challenge Application to Rosita Bourke.
Correspondence Refund Policy: A student who cancels from any Unit before the first scheduled assignment due date is entitled to a partial refund of fees less a refund levy of $113.00 (includes HST). In order to receive the partial refund, you must submit written notice of your cancellation to Claudia Biasutto. No refunds will be granted for cancellations received after the first scheduled assignment due date. A student cannot transfer their registration or payment to a later date. No returns accepted or no refunds for the hard copy textbook.